Traverse City Tournament of Champions Returns with Olympic Riders and World-Class Sport

2025 season at Flintfields Horse Park culminate with $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI5*-W—Traverse City (Sept 14, 2 PM) and $340,000 American Gold Cup CSI5* (Sept 21, 2 PM), plus a Farm to Stable Benefit Dinner supporting the Great Lakes Culinary Institute.
Traverse City, MI – September 3, 2025 — The Traverse City Tournament of Champions returns to Flintfields Horse Park from September 3–21, closing the 2025 season with three weeks of elite show jumping and community events.

At the heart of the series are two of North America’s premier five-star competitions: the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ CSI5*-W—Traverse City on Sunday, September 14 (2 PM) and the $340,000 American Gold Cup CSI5* on Sunday, September 21 (2 PM), bringing Olympic-level sport to Northern Michigan.

This year’s field is set to feature some of the sport’s biggest names, including:

• Kent Farrington (USA) – World No. 1, past American Gold Cup champion
• Karl Cook (USA) – Paris Olympic team silver medalist, past Gold Cup winner
• McLain Ward (USA) – Six-time U.S. Olympian, World No. 7
• Lillie Keenan (USA) – Top 30 in the world
• Erynn Ballard (CAN) – Canada’s top-ranked rider
• Daniel Coyle (IRE) – Top 15 in the world
• Abdel Saïd (BEL) – Top 20 in the world
• Shane Sweetnam (IRE) – Defending American Gold Cup champion, Top 20 in the world.

These riders represent the highest levels of the sport, making Traverse City one of the only few places in North America where fans can see this caliber of competition.

A Season for Community and Celebration

September also marks the return of the Farm to Stable Dinner Series, connecting Northern Michigan’s flavors with the setting of the horse show. On September 13, Chef Joe VanWagner (Echelon Kitchen & Bar) headlines a four-course dinner. On September 20, a Benefit Dinner supports the Great Lakes Culinary Institute (GLCI) Scholarship Fund.

For the benefit dinner, guests will gather for a seasonal four-course meal prepared by GLCI students and alumni working alongside celebrated chefs, including:

• Jimmy Schmidt, James Beard Award-winner
• Brian Fleuter (Nobo Riverside)
• Tony Vu (The Good Bowl, MaMang)
• Michelle Rodriguez (Amor Comida)
• Stephanie Wiitala (Sugar 2 Salt)

The meal will be prepared with local ingredients from Lakeview  Hill Farm (Leelanau), Anavery Fine Foods (Traverse City), and Idyll Farms (Northport).

“This dinner is about more than an incredible meal—it’s about showcasing the talent of chefs shaping our region and the farmers who make it possible,” said Mindy Lopus, Food & Beverage Director at Traverse City Horse Shows. “Pairing their craft with the mission of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute makes it a truly meaningful evening.”

Event organizers also emphasized the community’s role in making the Tournament of Champions possible. “We are proud to bring events of this caliber to Traverse City,” said Matt Morrissey, Event Director of Traverse City Horse Shows. “We’re grateful for the support all season long—and if you’ve been curious but haven’t made it out yet, these next few weeks are the time.”

On September 21, Traverse City Horse Shows will also celebrate the 14 local nonprofits that participated in this year’s Charity Ticket Program. Through the program, 100% of general admission revenue is donated back to community partners, with donations to exceed $50,000 for the 2025 season.

Beyond the ring, Grand Prix Sundays also feature shopping, dining, live music, and family activities, making Flintfields a destination beyond the ring. For tickets, visit: gopassage.com/venues/8654.